Category: North Edinburgh News

Dads Rock

This week is the six month anniversary of Dads Rock playgroup, and we thought it was time to reflect on how far we have come, and how much support we have had from so many in such a short space of time.

Thanks to the support we have received, we have been more successful that we could have hoped.

David Marshall & Thomas Lynch, founders of Dads Rock are delighted with how their project has developed.

We have now had over 50 Dads come along to our group and with average weekly numbers of 18 Dads and kids it shows that there is a great need for our group in Edinburgh.  We have a real mix of Dads coming from all parts of Edinburgh, we have local Dads from across the street as well as Dads who have driven from outside the city, even as far as Galasheils.

We now have a core group who attend on a regular basis and some good relationships have been developed.  It is great to see Dads coming together talking about what it means to be a Dad and playing with their kids.

We have over 330 people/organisations following us on Twitter, and our Facebook page has reached over 930 people in one day.  Our Polish publicity has paid off with on average 50% of attendees being of Polish origin.  We have had interest from a variety of sources including other like minded groups local and national press, MSPs and our MP.

We are proud to have started in Sighthill in Edinburgh and are developing plans to expand the service to allow more areas to benefit from the Dads Rock Experience. Thanks again to all the Dads who’ve come along, the kids for the fun they’ve had.

For more information visit the Dads Rock Facebook page here: Dads Rock Facebook Page

David Marshall & Thomas Lynch (founders of Dads Rock)

Leith leave it late to earn deserved point against Spartans

Ten man Leith Athletic battled hard for a well earned point again Spartans on Saturday at Muirhouse.

Spartans manager Mike Lawson said his team should have put the game to bed in the first half. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Spartans started strong and took the lead in just the 10th minute. A corner was only half cleared by the Leith defence. The ball fell to Keith McLeod on the edge of the box and his shot was then flicked over Iain Gordon in the Leith goal by Chris Anderson.

Spartans looked to build on their early lead and dominated the first half in terms of possession, however, they created a limited number of chances and found Leith keeper Gordon in fine form as he kept out Gavin Malin, Keith McLeod and the impressive Donal Henretty.

The second half was a different game altogether as Leith started much stronger than they had in the first. Spartans were still creating chances though in what was an end to end game and Gordon was once again in fine form as he got his fingertips to a Gavin Malin freekick which looked destined for the top corner.

Leith’s task looked to have been much harder when they were reduced to ten men after about the 70th minute. Captain Gary Black receiving his 2nd yellow card for a late challenge on Omar Kader. Rather than hinder Leith this seemed to galvanise them and they went on to play better with 10 men than they had with 11.

Leith had several opportunties to equalise giving Spartans plenty warning that it was on the cards and therefor it was no surprise when they eventually did get the goal they deserved in the 89th minute. A freekick was played long into the box, the Spartans defence could only half clear and Lewis Tracey headed home.

Spartans started to push forward and Malin, Beesley, Kader and McLeod all looked to create goal scoring chances however good defending  meant they were unable to find a winning goal.

In the end a draw was probably the right result and leaves Spartans twelve points clear of Stirling Uni, however the students have four games in hand, the first of which is this tuesday, at Leith Athletic.

Spartans co-manger Mike Lawson said “we had chances to put the game to bed in the first half but paid the penalty as Leith stepped things up after the interval and deserved their late point saving goal. There is still everything to play for at the top of the table and we now have to concentrate on our game next weekend.”

Hibs legend takes up Civil role

Local football side Civil Service Strollers have appointed a new management team which includes Hibs legend Mickey Weir. The hot seat at Civil became vacant last month when Garry Aitchison resigned whilst the club were sitting in the top three of the East of Scotland Premier Division.

Hbs legend Mickey Weir takes up the Assistant Managers job at Civil Service Strollers.

Earlier this month Civil Service appointed Chick McAleavy as their new manager and he will be assisted by Weir.

Cardinal tells faithful: wear your cross with pride

Cardinal Keith O’Brien will call for Christians to identify with the cross and make it more prominent in their lives when he preaches his Easter Sunday Homily in St Mary’s Cathedral today.

The Cardinal, the leader of Scotland’s Catholics, will say that the cross should be an important part of people’s lives and that every Christian should “wear proudly a symbol of the cross of Christ on their garments each and every day of their lives”.

Speaking earlier, Cardinal O’Brien said: “Easter provides the ideal time to remind ourselves of the centrality of the cross in our Christian faith.”

Friends reunite for Craigroyston farewell

Craigroyston Primary School teacher Barbara Wilson retired last week after a teaching career in North Edinburgh that spanned 39 years! Barbara taught at Silverknowes for 29 years before moving on to the new Craigroyston when it opened in 2003.

Craigroyston Primary School held a special assembly to thank and say goodbye to the popular teacher before breaking up for the Easter holidays.

Barbara was joined on her special day by friend and former colleague Moira Moyes, who retired from Craigroyston just eight weeks ago.  Barbara and Moira became friends when they studied to become teachers, graduating in 1973. Barbara went on to teach at Silverknowes while Moira taught at nearby Muirhouse, but the friends were reunited when the schools merged to form the new Craigroyston in 2003.

Over all those years Barbara and Moira taught and nurtured hundreds of local schoolchildren, although Barbara did point out that Moira did take off a couple of years to have a family so she’s still basically a novice!

Barbara (left) and Moira are pictured with Craigroyston pupils who helped to make the assembly extra special.

Another chapter for literature course

 

You may remember we gave details of the ‘Introduction to Modern Scottish Literature’ course running at The Prentice Centre earlier this year? Well, the free course proved so popular that they’re running it again!

Supported by The Prentice Centre and WEA Scotland, the new course starts on Monday 30 April from 2.30 – 4.30pm and runs for eight to ten weeks. Activities include readings, visits and discussions and once again the course tutor is Derek Suttie.

Interested? To find out more or to book your place on the free course contact The Prentice Centre on 552 0485 or WEA on 225 2580.

Introduction to Modern Scottish Literature – so good they ran it twice!

 

 

Ian is Drylaw’s Citizen of the Year

Ian Moore has been chosen as Drylaw’s Citizen of the Year. Drylaw Telford Community Council members met earlier this week to decide the recipient of the annual Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship, and Ian was the popular winner.

“There was a bit of a delay in making our choice for 2011 because of some other pressing local issues, but we got there in the end! Ian is a well-known figure in the area and we’re sure he will be a very popular choice”, said Mike Clark, Drylaw Telford CC chair.

Ian will receive his award at a reception in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on 25 April at 7:30pm. All welcome